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Good story with unusual characters. Jack is a former soldier who got hooked on pain pills after losing a leg in the war. He's a recovering addict who has been having a little trouble finding his place. He started his own PI business, but it's slow going. His latest case, track down a missing child who might have ended up in a cult, is a "make or break" for him. He plans to go undercover into the cult for his search. He ends up inside much faster (and painfully) than he expected. One of the first people he meets is Sophia.
Sophia is the nurse who helps the cult's doctor. She's young and beautiful and knows nothing of the world outside. She has been content with her life, having friends, a job she likes, and dreams of her own wedding when she finds the right man. She also has a strong will that surfaces when she needs it. She is puzzled by her immediate attraction to Jack. Then she finds out that the leader of the cult has picked her to be his next of many wives. She turns to Jack for help escaping.
I liked the development of Jack and Sophia's relationship. There is a connection between them from the moment they met. Jack feels a bit guilty as he gets to know Sophia because of the lies he tells, but he can't deny the way he feels. I liked the protectiveness he felt toward her. I liked Sophia's gentleness and her sensitivity to Jack's past. The attraction between them flared up quickly, and I was surprised by a couple of their actions, given the time and place. The intensity of the events gave a boost to the feelings growing between them.
The author did a good job of building the world of the cult. It was easy to see the appeal of the lifestyle to the majority of the members. As Jack settled into life as a member, I got to see the day to day life. But it didn't take long for the more sinister aspects to become obvious to him. Jack is warned and threatened several times about spending too much time with Sophia, but he can't stay away. He's horrified by the idea of her marrying the leader and is determined to find some way to help. The scenes with the senior wife had moments that were a bit creepy as Sophia was instructed on her upcoming wedding and responsibilities. I really liked seeing Jack with the two little boys as he tried to find out if one of them was the missing one. Both Sophia and her friend, Rachel, began to suspect something disturbing and their actions trigger some unwanted attention. The final confrontation was intense, with help from a surprising source, and several surprises at the end.
I would have liked an epilogue with some type of followup on Jack and Sophia's relationship, and her and the other members' lives after their escape.
Sophia is the nurse who helps the cult's doctor. She's young and beautiful and knows nothing of the world outside. She has been content with her life, having friends, a job she likes, and dreams of her own wedding when she finds the right man. She also has a strong will that surfaces when she needs it. She is puzzled by her immediate attraction to Jack. Then she finds out that the leader of the cult has picked her to be his next of many wives. She turns to Jack for help escaping.
I liked the development of Jack and Sophia's relationship. There is a connection between them from the moment they met. Jack feels a bit guilty as he gets to know Sophia because of the lies he tells, but he can't deny the way he feels. I liked the protectiveness he felt toward her. I liked Sophia's gentleness and her sensitivity to Jack's past. The attraction between them flared up quickly, and I was surprised by a couple of their actions, given the time and place. The intensity of the events gave a boost to the feelings growing between them.
The author did a good job of building the world of the cult. It was easy to see the appeal of the lifestyle to the majority of the members. As Jack settled into life as a member, I got to see the day to day life. But it didn't take long for the more sinister aspects to become obvious to him. Jack is warned and threatened several times about spending too much time with Sophia, but he can't stay away. He's horrified by the idea of her marrying the leader and is determined to find some way to help. The scenes with the senior wife had moments that were a bit creepy as Sophia was instructed on her upcoming wedding and responsibilities. I really liked seeing Jack with the two little boys as he tried to find out if one of them was the missing one. Both Sophia and her friend, Rachel, began to suspect something disturbing and their actions trigger some unwanted attention. The final confrontation was intense, with help from a surprising source, and several surprises at the end.
I would have liked an epilogue with some type of followup on Jack and Sophia's relationship, and her and the other members' lives after their escape.